This is such a direct slap in the face. I have family down there, whom I haven't heard of YET. Five days, going on six, and nothing. All this effort and aid and donations from people to the Red Cross, supplies being sent in, and then turned around. What is the point of that?
It's a sad result of mismanagement and all the idiotic formalities that come with it. I wish I could say it's a lapse, but it's not -- it's starting to feel like a pattern.
I don't think it's racism, I don't think it's neglect. I think it's the system (not coffeeshop talk here, but the people who actually oil the gears of government) that has tired. Unfortunately, I don't believe they are allowed that privilege; the people in charge must always be aware, alert and attentive.
You're right, Bunny. It's an overall disgrace. And it's a situation where you ask yourself what can you do.
But the answer is just to watch and wait. Wow, that was a long comment.
Bunny, you have stated eloquently the rage and helplessness we all feel. Pull together whatever blankets you can and take them to the Salvation Army. Help Bob Eberhart - head bartender at Porterhouse - put on a benefit at the 40 W. 706-316-1937 sometime later this month. Donate blankets, put up links on your blog to the Red Cross and Hurricane Housing
Pressed for details, she doesn't hesitate. She speaks of two girls being raped and murdered inside the dome, one aged seven. The other was 16 and was "slit open" by a knife after she was raped in the woman's bathroom, she says. Much of what she tells is similarly described by several other dome evacuees. A boy aged seven was also raped by two men.
Almost everyone talks of gunshots in the night, including one shooting of a National Guard soldier. Ms Farrell says the soldier died, others spoke of him being wounded in the leg and surviving. Meanwhile, she adds, a black-market trade flourished in marijuana cigarettes, crack cocaine, guns and alcohol, in plain view of the authorities. Men were flashing their penises at the women, who dared only go to the bathroom in groups of five. When the bathrooms became so foul that going into them was impossible, people began squatting down just anywhere to relieve themselves. "Human beings don't live like that, people in the street don't live like that," she says.
http://news.independent.co.uk/
wo...ticle310194.ece
http://www.crooksandliars.com/20...2005/09/
04.html (you may "like" this blog bunny)
I never accepted the administration that is running the country. And while I never thought that ANYTHING like this could happen and be ACCEPTED by anyone as being just "unfortunate", I'm sad to say I'm not surprised. I'm not surprised. I'm crying right now because this is beyond being sad, or tragic. This was murder. If the people in charge went there and drowned those people personally it would have been the same. I don't feel like it was mismanagement. Even if it was unorganized, help would have been there already. People WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TURNED AWAY. How is that mismanagement? How is demanding paperwork to save lives be called anything but utterly ridiculous. I'm not taking a personal jab at you, Thomas, but did you see that video clip? This is breaking my heart and I can't feel anything but contempt for our government and I don't want to sit and wait and watch more people die. But I agree with Bunny. I have no clue what to do.
The links aren't working.
Through this natural diasaster a light has been cast. It appears to me that our society is failing.
It sure is temping to propose a new form of government that could handle problems, but what would form that be? I used to like libertarian, but that type of government assumes every person is equally sensible, and I know that isn't true.
If we ever get past this, it's going to be a very difference kind of government that is effectively able to address our needs. We live among widespread government failure in nearly every issue that could improve our society, but instead makes it worse. The horrid failure of our government has been demonstrated clearly in their handling of this event. It's time to rethink entirely.
A writer friend of mine from N.O. who used to live here says she can only spend money thru PayPal currently in Jackson, MS. I have sent her donations. She goes under the name "docbrite" at livejournal
Maybe stick out a tip jar at Clocked for Hurricane victims? There were lots of those in Cobbham yesterday
I cried along with the guy. And then I talked to Jose who's in the Army and posted what he told me without his knowledge or express permission. I don't know if it's worth reading, but it gave me some perspective.
It made me question, are we [and are you] placing the blame properly?
I still think so.
Janie, I did watch the video, and Broussard is right. Other than that, I don't exactly know what you're asking me.
I never referred to what happened on the Gulf coast as "unfortunate" -- I said it was unfortunate that the administration has failed time and again and exhausted itself. The tragic result of this behavior is that people die or face tragic personal consequences. And it happens time and time again.
On your blog, you wrote that you can't trust what you see on CNN and what the media is telling you, which I disagree with. The reporting I've seen has, in my opinion, been stellar, probably because the journalists are essentially refugees as well. Anderson Cooper busted some woman's balls because she kept on thanking politicians. Aside from the "black people loot, white people find food" issue, they have done their job with candor. They've joined the chorus of people wondering what went wrong.
That being said, the only thing anyone can do is act. Donate time, money, attention, bottled water and clothes. Send oil and gas to run chainsaws and generators. Keep shouting how you feel and you shall be heard. It's the only way to make an impact.
Hello Bunny,
I'm with you all the way. I've never had my blood on such a solid, nonstop boil.
I don't know if you'll want to do this or not, but here's another thing you can do. I found a website that's consolidating missing persons information from Craig's List and MSNBC and a whole host of other places. You can go on there and help enter the raw information into forms for one giant database for people to use to find their missing loved ones.
Here's the website:
Katrina People Finder Volunteer
You can do a little or a lot.
Okay, there you go, for what it's worth. Let's hope some serious change comes out of this nightmare.
Let's just keep voting. The numbers put on a little pressure even if they're the losing numbers.
Well, I've both given money and offered my house. I'm going down to UGA this week to spend time on their efforts, and I've will (and continue to offer) to promote any charity in Athens that needs it.
It doesn't matter how much I do. I'll feel better when the victims have been avenged.
No honey. I was was just refering to you saying it was a result of mismanagement. I didn't want you to think I was ranting at you. The rest of my comment was pointed at others.
I don't know what you're talking about, Bunny - I'm so caught up in this great news about John Roberts for chief justice that I'd completely forgotten about the hurricane. Also, when Laura Bush visited Mississippi, she said it's not as bad as they make it look on the news - so I'm sure it's just the media exaggerating! Pop open a cold one and chill out, y'all!
Maybe Laura Bush likes rape and murder.
I just realized I left a comment using my boyfriends name. Zero Basement = Janie
Fuck Laura Bush, and her fucking retarded husband. I say: if you hear any fuckers defending that fucking moron they elected to be president, STONE THEM TO FUCKING DEATH!
The monster's response to criticism for not acting until 2 days after the storm had hit was "I cut my vacation short." The little mentally challenged demon should've cut it at least 96 hours shorter.
It was headed right for a city whose elevation is BELOW FUCKING SEA LEVEL! A fucking 4 month year old could've seen this coming and reacted more appropriately.
I guess it's not worth breaking off your vacation if it won't involve rallying hatred for brown people. Also, is it just me or is this fucker always on vacation?
Well, folks, it's one thing to talk about change; it's another to effect it. How? Excellent question. A few things have to happen:
1. Every single American citizen needs to stop watching Latest Reality TV Show and get off of playing Latest Exciting Computer Game, and pay attention to what's going on around them. I always include myself in this group, as we all (or the vast majority of us) have fallen short of our duties as a citizen of the United States in some way.
2. After paying attention to what's going on around them, people need to form opinions. They need to discuss with their neighbors.
3. After opinionating, discussing and all that jazz, people need to stick the political cattle prod in the backs of our elected "leaders." Don't just vote, vote SMART. If the Democratic and/or Republican parties keep on giving us shitty choices for candidates, WRITE ONE IN! If you can't do that where you live, FORCE YOUR STATE TO ALLOW IT!
(There are other things I'm sure I haven't thought of.)
Will we, as Americans, do at least these three things?
I'd like to think so. I'd like to. Really.
What would people expect to see in a working governmental system? What laws should stay, which ones should get deep-sixed? Etc. I'm curious. Comment here or at my site, whatever.
It was funny. I looked at the picture with just a cursory glance and thought to myself "Oh . . . rednecks." Then I looked back at it and realized it was our beloved Commander in Chief. Heh.
I am proud of the fact I have voted against him four times. All in all I still place the blame for his presidency squarely on Ann Richards.
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